ASIA

Syria

178.

The Ministers expressed deep concern over the imposing of unilateral sanctions against Syria by the United States Government and consider the so-called “Syria Accountability Act”, contrary to the international law and a violation of the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, and call upon the United States Government to null and void that act, and to resort to dialogue between the two countries based on respect and mutual interest for the best of the two nations and their peoples.

Situation between Iraq and Kuwait

179.

The Ministers strongly condemned the grave violation of human rights and the killing of Kuwaiti and other third country nationals by the former Iraqi government, in disregard of the provisions of international law and international humanitarian law. They called for measures or actions to be taken to bring to justice those in the former Iraqi government responsible for committing such crimes.

181.

The Ministers welcomed the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1483 (2003) and 1546 (2004), which called for the restoration of the sovereignty of Iraq and the establishment of a sovereign Iraqi Government. They also welcomed the United Nation’s role in supporting the people and the Interim Government of Iraq in their efforts to establish stability, security and democracy in Iraq.

182.

The Ministers condemned the inhuman practices and abuses committed against the Iraqi detainees at Abu-Gharaib prison and demanded that those responsible be tried by appropriate judicial processes, that conform to international standards in accordance with international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions. They also underlined the necessity for all parties, including the Multinational Force, to respect the civil and religious rights of the Iraqi people, as well as the preservation of the cultural and historical heritage of Iraq.

183.

The Ministers condemned the terrorist attacks against the people of Iraq and targeting of 42

Iraq

180.

The Ministers welcomed the announcement of the new Iraqi Interim Government and the appointment of the President of Iraq as a step forward in the direction of the establishment of a fully sovereign, democratic, and viable Iraq, as well as defining the further political process leading to safeguarding the national interests of Iraq without any external interference. They welcomed the announcement by the Interim Government to prepare for free, fair, inclusive and transparent elections in accordance with the timetable guaranteeing the completion of the political process and the establishment of a free, democratic and sovereign State of Iraq. They also supported the efforts of the Iraqi Interim Government to exercise control over the national resources of Iraq for the

re-establishment of the welcomed the Interim stability and security of